Penn State target T.A. Cunningham decides today; will the Lions land the four-star defensive lineman?
It is decision day for four-star Class of 2024 recruit T.A. Cunningham. Penn State is hoping to land its second commitment from a defensive lineman in as many days when his announcement is made at 1:30 p.m. today. But, four other schools will have a hat on the table before his extensive offer list is whittled to just one winner of his recruitment.
“I’m just happy to be done with the process," Cunningham said. "It’s been a rollercoaster or emotions and different things. I’m happy to have the relief of having it over. My path was a little less traditional than some others. You have juniors and seniors still receiving offers, and most of my offers came early from all the visits and camps that I went to early on. I’m pretty familiar with the process.
“It’s all been a blessing, but everything has to come to and end and I’m just ready for the next chapter of my life, where I can just get down to business, get ready to work and just have a stable environment.”
Get ready for Cunningham's announcement with our preview below.
Tracking T.A. Cunningham's recruitment
Penn State offered Cunningham way back in August of 2021. The 6-foot-6, 275-pound Miami, Fla., native took more than 40 visits during his recruitment. Two of them were to see the Nittany Lions. The first an unofficial in March. Then, he took an official visit to campus back in June.
Who are the contenders?
Cunningham only took one official visit, to Penn State, of course, during the summer. He did release a top five, however, that includes PSU and also Oklahoma, Miami, Texas A&M, and Michigan. Of the finalists, he has only seen the Lions and Miami so far this year.
Who leads on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine?
Powered by an On3 RPM pick from BWI recruiting insider Sean Fitz, Penn State has a commanding lead in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine percentage leaderboard heading into decision day.
What has he said about Penn State?
Speaking to On3's Hayes Fawcett ahead of his announcement, Cunningham had this to say about the Nittany Lions:
“Penn State is definitely the place to become a great football player but also a better man. Coach [James] Franklin and Coach [Deion] Barnes believe in me in a special type of way.”
How can you follow Cunningham's announcement?
Cunningham has not yet said how he will reveal his decision. But, it will happen at 1:30 p.m. ET. This section will be updated if and when more information becomes available. Cunningham's Twitter page is here. The latest can be found inside The Lions Den forum, as well.
Where does Penn State stand to start the day?
With 23 Class of 2024 verbal commitments at the start of Friday, Penn State holds the No. 10 spot in the On3 Industry Ranking Football Team Recruiting Rankings.
Here is the Lions’ current commitment timeline rundown:
July 21, 2023 -- Massachusetts four-star lineman Liam Andrews.
July 8, 2023 — Philadelphia four-star defensive end Mylachi Williams.
Jun. 30, 2023 — Washington, D.C., three-star defensive lineman De’Andre Cook.
June 23, 2023 – Hicksville, N.Y., four-star Josiah Brown.
June 23, 2023 — Pittsburgh, Pa., three-star Peter Gonzalez.
Jun. 21, 2023 — Philadelphia four-star receiver Tyseer Denmark.
June 11, 2023 — Irvington, N.J., four-star safety Vaboue Toure.
Jun. 4, 2023 — Baltimore, Md., four-star safety Dejuan Lane.
June 4, 2023 — Columbia, Md., three-star defensive lineman Xavier Gillman
Jun. 4, 2023 — Jacksonville, Fla., 3-star defensive tackle Deryc Plazz. He decommitted on June 15.
May 20, 2023 — Lewis Center, Ohio 3-star quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer.
April 28, 2023 — Waukesha, Wisc., 4-star running back Corey Smith.
Apr. 25, 2023 — Cornelius, N.C., 3-star tackle Eagan Boyer.
Apr. 24, 2023 — Hartland, Wisc., 3-star tackle Garrett Sexton.
April 18, 2023 — Waukesha, Wisc., 4-star offensive lineman Donovan Harbour.
April 15, 2023 — Reading, Pa., 3-star athlete Caleb Brewer.
Apr. 10, 2023 — Jacksonville, Fla., 3-star cornerback Antoine Belgrave-Shorter.
April 7, 2023 – Pittsburgh, Pa., 4-star running back Quinton Martin.
April 1, 2023 – Jacksonville, Fla., 3-star cornerback Jon Mitchell.
March 25, 2023 – Westford, Mass., 3-star tight end Luke Reynolds
March 3, 2023 – Philadelphia, Pa., 3-star cornerback Kenny Woseley Jr.
Feb. 28, 2023 — Bloomfield Hills, Mich., 3-star linebacker Kari Jackson
Jan. 17, 2023 — Pittsburgh, Pa., 4-star linebacker Anthony Speca
Jan. 29, 2022 — Erie, Pa., 4-star interior offensive lineman Cooper Cousins
Here’s how the Penn State class breaks down by state:
Pennsylvania – 8
Wisconsin – 3
Florida – 2
Maryland – 2
Massachusetts – 2
Michigan – 1
North Carolina – 1
Ohio – 1
New Jersey – 1
New York – 1
Washington, D.C. – 1
Here’s how it breaks down by position:
Offensive lineman – 3
Cornerback – 3
Defensive tackle – 3
Receiver – 3
Running back – 2
Linebacker – 2
Safety – 2
Defensive end – 2
Quarterback – 1
Tight end – 1
Athlete – 1
